A 55-year-old man died Wednesday night after being hit by a car on U.S. 19. Thomas Rabon Legg was crossing the highway near Green Key Road about 8 p.m. when he was hit by a silver 2002 Honda Civic driven by Thomas Dale Thompson, 59, of Port Richey. Legg, of New Port Richey, was taken to Community Hospital, where he died. Capt. Jeff Harrington of the New Port Richey Police Department said the incident is being investigated and no citations have been issued. Harrington said Legg — who had a history of arrests for driving while intoxicated and with a suspended or revoked license — did not use a crosswalk to cross U.S. 19, though there was one only 200 feet away. Harrington said there are eight to 12 pedestrian fatalities on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey every year. "I urge everybody to use a crosswalk," Harrington said. "U.S. 19 is a tremendously heavily traveled roadway."

SHADY HILLS

Resident disarms garage intruder

A man caught someone coming out of his garage at about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday and asked what he was doing. "Looking for a place to hide," the man said, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Then the man took a pair of tree trimmers from his back pocket and tried to stab the home's resident, who punched the attacker, disarmed him and held him on the ground until authorities arrived. The victim said his garage door on Helen K. Drive had been forced open and his lawn mower had been taken out. The Sheriff's Office says the suspect is Wayne E. Garrison, 39, of 16235 Shady Hills Road. Garrison is charged with burglary, grand theft and aggravated assault. He remained Thursday at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $65,000 bail.

LAND O'LAKES

Welder accused of attack over drugs

Authorities say Justin E. Blackwell beat up a man who owed him money for drugs. Blackwell, a 31-year-old welder, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with home invasion robbery and battery. The victim told the Pasco County Sheriff's Office that he owed Blackwell $30 for pills and that Blackwell kept threatening him. The victim said Blackwell came to his house at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, struck him with his fists and kicked him in the face and body. A report says the victim suffered severe bruising and cuts to his face. The victim said Blackwell also stole $150 in cash. Blackwell, of 1807 Ravenridge St. in Wesley Chapel, remained Thursday at the county jail in lieu of $50,250 bail.